Krill Karabits: Follows Martin Alsop as Principal Conductor

December 7th 2007, by Tobias |

Ukrainian Kirill Karabits will be taking over the baton from Marin Alsop at the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra as Principal Conductor. 30-year old Kirill Karabits, wo just ended two years as Principal Guest Conductor of Strasbourg Philharmonic, will begin his work in the 2009-season. For the young artist, this news comes as a double dream-come-true. Firstly, because it means he will be able to collaborate with an ensemble of musicians which he deeply respects and with whom he has celebrated critically aclaimed triumphs in the past: “From the moment when I led my first rehearsal with the BSO in October 2006, I immediately felt a very quick response to my ideas from the musicians”, Kirill Karabits said in reaction to the announcement, “When I came back to the orchestra in October 2007 we performed very different repertoire, but the musicians still told me "Please make music like you feel, and we will follow you!" It's the dream of every conductor to hear that.” The second thing which moved Kirill Karabits was the fact that no Ukrainian has ever before held this position: “It’s difficult for me to omit the historic fact of being the first Ukrainian appointed as principal conductor in the UK”, he stated, quickly adding: “But in modern globalized society the high value of the emotional human approach goes far beyond the aspect of nationality and geographical distance!”. Until this becomes a reality, Kirill Karabits will be taking on a packed schedule of performances next year, including seven renditions of Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin with Glyndebourne Festival Opera.

Next to these engagements, Kirill Karabits will gradually glide into the tenure with a minimum of three weeks with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in 2008 also part of the package. Michael Henson, Managing Director of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra explained the reason for deciding on Kirill Karabits: “The orchestra was very much drawn to his innate musicality and we became convinced that a major partnership would develop over the next five to six seasons.”, Henson explained, “We have been tracking Kirill’s conducting for some time and we are seeing the beginnings of a major career which the BSO are thrilled to be part of.” According to the page of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, “the BSO players voted unanimously for Kirill Karabits to be offered the job.”

If there is one thing which might prove difficult it would have to be that Kirill Karabits will follow in the footsteps of the tremendously succesful tenure of Marin Alsop. On the other hand, Marin Alsop was also “just” a promising conductor when she started her reign in 2001. There is therefore every reason to be optimistic. Michael Henson certainly put his thoughts into very clear words: “We’re delighted that the orchestra has secured such an exciting musical talent as Kirill.”

Picture by Yuri Shkoda

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